On Dog Mania, you will regularly come across words that you may not have known and not heard or read anywhere else. That can certainly happen. On this page, you will find a brief explanation of the meaning of certain terms. Do you still have questions? Then feel free to contact us!
A
Aggression: Behaviour aimed at threatening or harming another animal or person. This can range from growling and barking to biting.
Alfa: The dominant dog in a group or pack, often taking charge and influencing the behaviour of the other dogs.
Adoption: The process of adopting a dog from a shelter or dog home.
Allergy: A reaction of a dog's immune system to certain substances, such as food or pollen.
B
Bossing: Dogs that are strongly focused on their owner and eager to please.
Barking: The sound dogs make to communicate. This can have different meanings, such as warning, greeting, or demanding attention.
Blood tests: A medical test to check a dog's health.
C
Canine: Concerning dogs or canines.
Castration: The removal of a male dog's reproductive organs, usually to prevent unwanted reproduction and influence behaviour.
Chipping: Implanting a microchip for dog identification.
D
Dominance: A dog's behaviour to confirm its position in the hierarchy. This may manifest itself in claiming territory, food or attention.
Portable kennel: A portable cage or kennel used for transporting or temporarily housing a dog.
Vet: A professional dedicated to the health and care of dogs.
Gestation: The period when a bitch is pregnant and carrying pups.
E
Proteins: Essential nutrients required for growth, repair and maintenance of body tissues. An important component of dog food.
Enting: Administering vaccines to protect dogs from infectious diseases.
Owner: The person responsible for a dog's care and welfare.
F
Breeder: A person who breeds dogs for specific traits or breeds.
Breeding programme: A structured plan for breeding dogs with the aim of improving certain traits or breed characteristics.
G
Behaviour modification: Techniques and methods used to change or improve a dog's behaviour.
Castrated: A male who has had his reproductive organs removed.
Behavioural therapy: A method to address unwanted behaviour in dogs through training and counselling.
H
Collar: A leash worn around the dog's neck to which a leash is often attached for control while walking.
Dog training: The process of teaching a dog to perform certain behaviours or tasks.
Dog language: The way dogs communicate through body language and vocalisations.
Dog insurance: Insurance policies that cover medical expenses for dogs.
Dog toys: Toys specially designed for dogs to play and learn with.
I
Intelligence: A dog's mental capacity to solve problems, learn new commands and adapt to new situations.
Instinct: Innate behaviours or reactions that do not need to be taught, such as hunting or herding.
J
Hunting behaviour: Instinctive behaviour of dogs to hunt prey, often seen in certain breeds such as hunting dogs.
Young dog: A dog that is not yet mature, usually under one year old.
Iodine: An element sometimes used in antiseptic solutions for disinfecting wounds in dogs.
Annual review: A routine veterinary examination to assess a dog's health and update vaccinations.
K
Cat baking training: Training a dog to use a litter tray for its needs, usually applied only to very small breeds or in exceptional circumstances.
Stubbornness: A trait of some dogs that resist training or commands, often due to a strong independent nature.
Cynology: The study of dogs and their behaviour.
L
Age: The age of a dog in years or months. Dogs have different life stages, including puppy, adult and senior.
Life expectancy: The average time a dog can expect to live, varying by breed and health condition.
Life cycle: The different life stages of a dog, from puppy to senior.
Line: Another term for leash, used to leash a dog while walking.
Body language: A dog's non-verbal communication, such as posture and movement, which helps in understanding their emotions and intentions.
M
Oral hygiene: Caring for a dog's teeth and gums, often through brushing and regular dental checkups at the vet.
Basket: A comfortable place where a dog can rest or sleep.
Muzzle: A device placed over a dog's snout to prevent biting.
Medication: Medicines given to dogs to treat diseases or conditions.
Microchip: A small chip implanted under a dog's skin for identification and return in case of loss.
N
Natural behaviour: Behaviour that is inherent in a dog and not taught, such as digging or sniffing.
Nosework: Activities in which dogs use their sense of smell, such as tracking or detection work.
Nose: The dog's olfactory organ, which is highly sensitive and essential for their sensory perception.
Narcosis: A medical condition in which a dog is put under anaesthesia for an operation or medical procedure.
Natural food: Food that consists of unprocessed ingredients and contains no artificial additives.
O
Obesity: Obesity in dogs, which can lead to health problems such as diabetes and joint problems.
Submissiveness: Behaviour aimed at being submissive to other dogs or people, often shown by belly rolling or putting ears back.
Deworming: The process of administering medication to a dog to remove parasitic worms.
Eye infection: A condition in which a dog's eyes become infected, which can lead to redness, swelling and discharge.
Overweight: A common problem in dogs that can lead to health problems and can be prevented by proper nutrition and adequate exercise.
P
Puppy: A young dog, usually under one year old.
Puppy course: A training programme specifically aimed at young dogs to teach basic commands and social skills.
Puppy socialisation: The process of exposing young dogs to different people, animals and environments to reduce fear and aggression.
Paw print: The imprint left by a dog, often used in creative work or as identification.
Parasites: Organisms such as fleas, ticks and worms that can be harmful to dogs' health.
Q
Quick release: A type of dog collar or harness with a quick release buckle for easy removal.
Quarantine: A period during which a dog is kept isolated to prevent the spread of disease, often after a trip or exposure to sick animals.
R
Breed standard: A set of guidelines describing the ideal characteristics, appearance and temperament of a dog breed.
Male: A male dog.
Rabies: A serious viral disease that is often fatal and transmitted through bites of infected animals.
Guided tour: A guided walk or demonstration, often used in training contexts or at dog shelters.
Variety: A specific group of dogs with common characteristics and a recognisable pedigree.
S
Socialisation: The process by which a dog learns to interact positively with other dogs, people and environments.
Tracking: A dog's use of its sense of smell to follow a trail.
T
Territorial behaviour: Behaviour aimed at protecting one's own territory from intruders.
Training: The process of teaching a dog to follow specific commands or behaviours.
U
Endurance: A dog's ability to sustain physical activity for an extended period of time.
Exhausts: Taking a dog outside for exercise and to do his business.
V
Vaccination: Administering vaccines to protect a dog from disease.
Separation anxiety: Fear or stress a dog experiences when left alone.
Coat care: Maintaining a dog's coat, which can include brushing, washing and trimming.
Nutritional requirements: Specific nutrients and quantities a dog needs for a healthy lifestyle.
W
Watchdog: A dog trained or naturally inclined to guard and protect against intruders.
Worms: Parasites that can live in a dog's body and cause health problems.
Heat: The period when a female is fertile and ready to mate.
Spine: The dog's spine, important for supporting the body.
Walk: An outing with the dog, essential for exercise and socialisation.
X
Xylitol: A sweetener that is toxic to dogs and often found in sugar-free products.
Xenophobia: Fear or dislike of strange dogs or people, which can lead to aggressive behaviour.
Y
Yoga mat: A mat sometimes used in dog training for stability exercises and balance.
Z
Sobriety: A dog's ability to do its business in a designated place.
Off-leash area: An area where dogs can roam freely without having to be on a leash.
Nervous: A term that can refer to a dog being anxious or stressed in certain situations.
Care: General care and attention a dog needs, including nutrition, exercise and medical care.
This dictionary can be useful for both new dog owners and experienced dog lovers looking to expand their knowledge.
